NEW ZEALANDER IN GERMANY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16491, 8 November 1927, Page 9

NEW ZEALANDER IN GERMANY

SOME IMPRESSIONS

LUNDUJN, Sept. 24.

Mr. John Booth, of Wellington, who, with Mrs. Booth, has been on a tour ot Belgium and Germany, considers that the latter country in educational matters leads the world.

"Before the war," he said, "children 'oil reaching the age of nine commenced to learn' French, and later English. This us now changed, and English leads. The reason is that English is a kindred language to German and easily acquired. Besides, English is spoken 'by at least four timely as many people as speak French, and the trade between Germany and America, is very extensive and growing daily. "Another innovation in the German educational system is the 'Rambling Day.' Teachers take parties of children numbering from 12 to 20 lor a ramble, ft may be ti> discuss the city's monuments or for a day in the country. In the latter case they generally start early, go a few miles by rail, tramp live or 10 miles, and return by rail in the evening from another station. How many Wellington children have ever seen the beauties of JS'ew Zealand in a tramp through the Manawatu Gorge?

i "Bitumen roads are a great success, and wo are proud of the Hutt road, but bitumen floorcloth is something new. It resembles linoleum in finish/ costs about half, and wears better. Waste paper and rags aro teased fine, and take the place of cork in linoleum. The bond is with bitumen. There is a possible use for the sawdust which in New Zealand gives so much trouble to saw-millers.

"It is a great pleasure to New Zealanders in England," said Mr. Booth, "to soo New Zealand apples being carted through the streets. The labels are so homelike. But why must the advertisement be confined to the cases? Every lorry might bo made a medium of advertising. The public must be made to sit up and take notice.. Visitors to the Leipzig Fair looked in vain for JNew Zealand apples in the fruit stalls. Ualifornian apples were everywhere. Perhaps the JNew Zealand apples were all sold out."

Mr. Booth went on to mention that a Birmingham firm of aluminium spinners contemplate removing its plant to Australia or New Zealand, whichever offers the most favorable prospect. "Much," he said, "might bo said on both sides, but most will depend on the initial advantages such as duty payable on plant and raw material, cost of power, and of sites. The Minister of Customs is to be approached on the matter. It is to be hoped Mr. Downio Stewart will give the matter sympathetic consideration."